The New York Jets were one of the worst NFL teams in 2025, but they will be one of the few in their position not searching for either a new head coach or general manager this offseason. While those two positions are filled, there’s more than enough work for New York to do this offseason.
Let’s dive into our list of five Jets offseason moves that should be made in 2026.
Reunite LB Alex Anzalone with Aaron Glenn
Linebacker play has been one of the many issues for New York defensively this season. While it is still unknown who will be the Jets’ defensive coordinator in 2026, the influence of Aaron Glenn on this scheme makes pending free agent Alex Anzalone a natural target. It is also worth noting, as reported by Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, that Glenn and Anzalone are very close, and that relationship could provide a significant boost to the locker room. Anzalone will be entering his age-32 season, so New York could sign him to a two or three-year contract and secure an above-average starter in the middle of its defense who brings a veteran presence and understands his role.
Related: 2026 NFL Draft Order after Week 17, New York Jets Draft Picks 2026
Sign Safety Quentin Lake
We are not trying to break the bank with our proposed Jets offseason moves in NFL free agency. After all, one signing will not come close to fixing everything. The focus is on spreading around what could be north of $100 million in cap space, with an emphasis on improving this team defensively. Quentin Lake might not be a Pro Bowl safety, but ahead of his age-27 season, he brings a lot to the table. He had one of the lowest missed tackle rates (3.2 percent) among safeties this season, and he allowed a modest 83.0 QB rating in coverage. Notably, Lake is also a team captain who can play a variety of roles for New York. The Jets would not have to make him one of the highest-paid safeties in the league, but they would be adding another above-average starter who also brings leadership to the field.
Related: NFL Teams With Most Cap Space in 2026, including the New York Jets
Acquire Kyler Murray from the Arizona Cardinals
It is no secret that the Arizona Cardinals want to move on from Kyler Murray this offseason. The issue for the franchise is finding a quarterback-needy team willing to take on his contract. Carrying a $53.2 million cap charge in 2026 likely rules out the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, but it could present an opportunity for New York to roll the dice on him as a one-year starter in 2026.
Arizona’s desperation to move on could result in the franchise’s willingness to both attach a draft pick to him and cover some of the contract. New York would likely have to take on a majority of the guaranteed money owed to Murray over the next two seasons, but he still offers upside as a starter and is a much better quarterback than Justin Fields. Another alternative might be a swap of Fields and Murray, with Arizona attaching a lesser draft pick rather than including cash. Keep in mind, Murray finished ninth in ESPN QBR (63.4) in 2024, ahead of Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford, and Baker Mayfield.
Related: 2026 NFL QB Carousel, Ranking Best QBs in NFL Free Agency, Trade Market, 2026 NFL Draft
Draft Rueben Bain Jr with 3rd Overall Pick
As of now, we still think the approach the Jets’ front office is taking will be to use premium draft capital in the 2026 NFL Draft to build out the core of this roster. They are likely not going to have a top-two selection, and trading up for either Dante Moore or Fernando Mendoza—neither of whom is seen as an elite quarterback prospect—is not worth the cost.
Instead, New York should just take the top edge rusher available. Rueben Bain Jr. dominated in the first round of the College Football Playoff, and he offers a mix of traits the Jets will love. He is a high-motor player who plays with that same energy on a snap-to-snap basis, and he pairs that with enticing physical tools. He could develop into a multi-time Pro Bowl selection as a stout edge defender.
Select Makai Lemon with the 18th Overall Pick
With the 2026 first-round pick acquired from the Indianapolis Colts, New York could go in a few directions. Adding to the defense is certainly an option, especially if one of the top cornerback prospects is on the board. However, the franchise also needs to create a better environment for its quarterback of the future to thrive in. While Makai Lemon lacks prototypical size at 5-foot-11, he makes contested catches as if he is 6-foot-2. More importantly, he is a crisp route-runner who knows how to create separation, and he brings that added ability to make plays after the catch. He would step in and immediately become a 1B receiver in New York, pairing nicely with Garrett Wilson to give the Jets’ quarterback two great targets alongside tight end Mason Taylor.
Related: Dynasty Rookie Rankings 2026
